Strictly Come Dancing live: Amy Dowden posts message to JB Gill as he prepares for live show without her

It seems like bosses don’t have anyone quite so contentious waiting in the wings this time around, with The Sun claiming to have discovered the identity of every star joining the show later this month.

Amongst the names are Coleen Rooney, Tulisa Contostavlos, Reverend Richard Coles and Barry McGuigan.

Joining them is Oti Mabuse, a former Strictly Come Dancing professional, appearing on the BBC series from 2015 to 2021. She won the series with both Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey and appeared on Dancing on Ice as a judge after leaving Strictly.

Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies has revealed why she decided not to lose weight for her stint on Strictly Come Dancing despite being a self-described “yo-yo dieter”.

The businesswoman and entrepreneur shot to fame after becoming the youngest-ever Dragon to join the show in 2019, at the age of 35. She is known for her business acumen and investing expertise after setting up a highly successful arts and crafts business from her university bedroom in her early twenties.

The 40-year-old said that she was “on top” of her health when she joined the BBC competition, which has recently been beset by controversy. At the time, she had been at “higher risk of type two diabetes in later life” but has since got back to higher levels of glucose, increasing her risk and making her “borderline” diabetic.

“In the run-up to Strictly, I got really on top of it,” she told Prima magazine. “I was running a lot and eating well, all because I was in a routine, so I got in great shape. But then, after I did Strictly, I lost the routine, I lost the motivation and I went back downhill.

“I saw the weight pile back on, which for me is a problem.

“Every year on my birthday, my HbA1C check tells me how close my blood sugar levels are to early-onset diabetes. And last year, my HbA1C was right on the borderline.”

Last Saturday’s episode episode saw a number of this year’s contestants impress on the dancefloor with three of them winning 10s for their routines. They included EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick – who is beginning to look like a serious contender for the Glitterball trophy – and Sarah Hadland, who spectacularly recovered from an early mishap to deliver a dramatic performance. The third was Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, who has consistently pulled off high-scoring routines.

But it’s a celebrity closer to the bottom of the leaderboard who has the most to celebrate.

Sam Quek’s score has landed her near the bottom of the leaderboard but the former Olympian should be proud of her Halloween week performance, writes Rachel McGrath

Amy Dowden has shared a message on Instagram to her partner JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley, ahead of tonight’s show.

The Welsh dancer is unable to take part in today’s show after being rushed to hospital last week after falling ill.

On her personal Instagram account, Dowden shared an image of Gill and Oakley, adding: “Wishing these two the absolute best of luck tonight! I’m going to be your biggest cheerleader!”

“@jbgill it says everything how you’ve been able to adapt to a new professional, produce such a great number ( so excited for everyone to see) whilst supporting me! I’m so lucky! You’re a STAR! I know what tonight means to you! Thank you! “@laurenmayoakley thank you, I knew Jay would be in safe hands and have a fabulous time with you! You know I’ve always adored your dancing since I ran up to you in Blackpool tower at 8 years old to tell you! Thank you darling! “@lizzie.gough you for choreographing such a brilliant routine! LOVE IT! Thank you! “Also a big thank you for all the love and support I’ve received this past week. So grateful and certainly helped! Now tune into the first ever ICONS week on strictly!”

Gill responded by writing in the comments: “@amy_dowden you are the best. Your belief in me is so uplifting and your fighting spirit is second to none! Thank you for being my biggest champion and I know that @laurenmayoakley and I will do you PROUD.”

Another professional dancer, Nadiya Bychkova suffered a freak injury during rehearsals.

Bychkova was partnered with swimmer Tom Dean but was surprisingly eliminated first in the latest season of the BBC show but has continued to take part in the group dances and result show performances.

The Sun reports that she suffered the injury when she landed on her hand during Wednesday’s rehearsals and was treated on set by professionals.

Bychkova will reportedly appear on the balcony during Saturday’s show.

JB Gill has thanked the public for their support following Dowden’s illness.

Writing on Instagram, Gill said: “On behalf of both Amy Dowden and I, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well.

“We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are so grateful to be through to another week on @bbcstrictly. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.”

Gill stood alone on stage as the results were read out, which saw him and Dowden escape being in the bottom two.

She also thanked fans for their well wishes and praised partner Gill for his support.

Dowden said: “JB’s been so supportive of me… the pair of them just messaged all week.”

Dr Punam Krishan was the fifth contestant to be eliminated from the show after losing out to Shayne Ward in last Sunday’s dance off.

Krishan, and her pro partner Gorka Márquez, who were placed in the dance-off opposite Ward and his partner Nancy Xu.

Krishan and Márquez performed their Tango to “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics, followed by Ward and Xu who once again danced their Paso Doble to “In The Hall of The Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg.

Krishan was ultimately eliminated from the series followed by a unanimous vote from the judges.

Asked about her time on the compeition, Krishan said: “I am really proud of myself. You know I’ve taken on something that’s so out of my comfort zone. The one thing that I’ve very much learnt is to say yes more, and that there is no point in your life when you can stop learning new skills.

“I’ve learnt more than dancing, I’ve learnt so much from Gorka. Everyone’s been so incredible and it’s just memories that I’ll take home forever and I am very proud. I’ve made my family very proud, I’m just really grateful.”

When host Tess Daly asked whether the TV doctor’s family are proud, she responded: “They really are. My kids are so proud, my parents, my husband, everyone. This is just one of those things that I have dreamt about for years and I think to have one of your dreams genuinely come true is just a surreal feeling. Week after week it’s been incredible, I’ve made friends for life and everyone’s just been so kind, so thank you.”

Her partner Márquez said: “It’s been incredible, it’s been a fantastic six weeks. I’m very proud of what she has achieved. She’s a GP and a mum. She had never danced before and I think she improved week by week.”

“I think she is truly what the show is about, someone who doesn’t have experience in the performance world came here and learnt to dance,” he continued. “She wanted to do so well and worked so hard. Also I feel very proud and very honoured that we got to do a Bollywood dance, to represent your, show your to the world and open doors for so many people in your.”

Krishan added: “Thank you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for giving me the gift of dancing. I’ve never danced before, but you’ve definitely sparked so much dancing. I want to learn more, and I definitely don’t think this will be the end of my journey dancing.”

The theme will celebrate the songs of music legends such as Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Shirley Bassey, Queen, George Michael and KISS.

Chris McCausland and Dianne will dance a Tango to “Rock and Roll All Nite” by KISS

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle will dance a Samba to “Faith” by George Michael

JB Gill and Amy Dowden’s stand-in Lauren will dance a Couple’s Choice to a Bruno Mars Medley

Montell Douglas and Johannes will dance a Waltz to “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

Pete Wicks and Jowita will dance a Salsa to “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

Sam Quek and Nikita will dance an American Smooth to “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift

Sarah Hadland and Vito will dance a Cha Cha to “Like a Prayer” by Madonna

Shayne Ward and Nancy will dance a Quickstep to “Help!” by The Beatles

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz will dance a Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk

Wynne Evans and Katya will dance a Rumba to “This Is My Life” by Shirley Bassey

Lauren Oakley will be dancing with JB Gill on this week’s addition of the show, replacing Amy Dowden who is unable to take part.

A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing added: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well.

“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s couple’s choice dance. We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”

Dowden’s management company said she was “resting” and would be supporting Gill and Oakley during this weekend’s show.

Strictly bosses previously announced that Oakley would train with Gill on Monday, but since confirmed that the pair would stay together for the rest of the week, including for the performance on Saturday and the results show on Sunday. Oakley, who came eighth when partnered with Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the show’s previous season, did not have a partner this year. She joined the show in 2022.